Duke vs. Ohio State: Clash of Elite Programs Showcases Top NBA Prospects

When No. 4 Duke and No. 2 Ohio State battle in the ACC/Big Ten challenge Tuesday night, basketball fans will be able to watch some of the finest NBA prospects go up against one another.

Austin Rivers of Duke and Jared Sullinger of Ohio State are two potential top-five picks who will square off tonight, and both will look to prove to NBA scouts that they can excel against the best competition.

Rivers is the son of Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, and like his dad he is a great point guard who is able to score in many ways.

Rivers leads a Duke team that has already beaten Kansas and Michigan State this season. Blue Devils forward Mason Plumlee and guard Seth Curry are two other NBA prospects to watch for tonight, and Plumlee will likely be defending Sullinger.

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"You can't give (Sullinger) easy ones," Duke forward Mason Plumlee said via ESPN. "You've got to stay between him and the basket. You've got to be physical. He's a good free-throw shooter, so you can't foul him; you can't bail him out with fouls."

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Sullinger is one of the best big men in America and has NBA-ready talent. He decided to comeback for his sophomore season and help the Buckeyes get back to the Elite Eight. It was a bold move considering he could have been a top five pick in last year's draft, but it ultimately was a smart decision.

Sullinger has a great post game with several effective moves and is able to rebound well despite not being the size of a normal power forward.

He and William Buford have led the Buckeyes to a 6-0 record to open the season. Buford is one of the better perimeter players in college basketball, and plays fabulous defense.

Buford is averaging 17.7 points per game, second on the team, and stretches the floor for Sullinger in the paint with his three-point shooting.

All basketball fans should watch this matchup tonight and see how each of these players performs against other top prospects. It's one thing to watch these elite players, but it's better when they go against one another because then you have a better idea on how they will play at the next level.

Duke and Ohio State could be a national championship game preview, and a treat for all college basketball and NBA fans.